Let kids be kids. I know, it would be nice if kids would sit still for a picture, hands at their sides (not in their nose), and a big smile on their face. But the truth is, the thing we love most about kids isn't when they are calm… okay when they are sleeping they are pretty cute, but honestly what you adore about your kid is their wild spirit. We remember what it was like to be so carefree and excited about life. I'm not a big fan of studio portraits… don't get me wrong, they can be beautiful and Grandma loves them. However, the essence of a kid is lost when they have to pose. That wild, creative, inspiring side is muted.Since most of us aren't studio photographers my tip of the week is to let your kid be a kid. Instead of making your kid conform to what you want, force yourself to work around what your kid wants instead. Chances are you will get a more authentic photo that will not only make you smile, but will touch you way more than a posed photo ever would. Example: You've seen this photo below. This is my friend Luke. He's a ninja. That is one of my favorite things about him. Turns out, it's one of his Mom's favorite things too.